Bistro Fare Mixed With Celtic Crafts At A Historic House

August 30, 2007|By -- MELISSA PIONZIO

The Harp & Hearth

45 Wall St.

Madison http://www.harpandhearth.com

203-245-1414

What's selling: This unique bistro/gift shop, located in the historic Janna Meigs house built in 1690, offers a fantastic array of Celtic merchandise including crystal, pottery, blown glass, pewter and silver pieces, as well as jewelry, bath products and woven throws each created by artisans from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall. The shop also features a food emporium that is stocked with imported gourmet curds, marmalades, jams, teas, soups, biscuits and cookies and a large supply of English candy. Lunch and afternoon tea are available in the cozy dining room, which originally served as a keeping room with sloped, wide-plank floors, a rustic fireplace and original warming cupboard. The food, which is very fresh and quite fabulous, includes overstuffed sandwiches, paninis, salads and daily specials such as gazpacho or tomato/mozzarella bruschetta.

Who Goes There? Appreciators of Celtic artwork, shoppers in need of a unique wedding, baby, birthday or special-occasion gift and people of Celtic descent who love and miss the authentic food stuffs sold in the emporium.

Who Works There? Owner Mary Athey and business partner/chef Gerald McDonald, who is certified by the Culinary Institute of America (and who is also Athey's son-in-law); dining room server Stacey Anderson and shop assistant Brenda Wilson.

Cool Fact: Athey thought she was going to retire when she moved to Connecticut from New York after a long career as a newspaper reporter and editor. But during a visit to the historic house, which formerly housed an English tea shop, she decided to try her hand at retail and hospitality.